How does prophecy compare to speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians 14?
Paul says prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues unless someone interprets, so the church may receive the message. Prophecy is speaking forth the word of God with the power of God without a New Testament scripture. The purpose is that the congregation hears and understands the Word, which is more valuable than uninterpreted languages.
Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 14, Paul contrasts prophecy with speaking in tongues. Prophecy is defined as speaking forth the word of God with the power of God, without benefit of a New Testament scripture. Paul says the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks with languages, unless he can interpret, so the church may receive something. Les illustrates this with the congregation in Corinth: most understood Greek, but some only understood Hebrew or Aramaic. Paul wanted someone to come and teach or preach in a language everyone could understand, because the people needed to hear the Word—they could not go home and read it, but had to hear it from men's lips. Les also compares this to missionaries who must attend language school for four or five years before going to the field, showing Paul knew what he was talking about when he valued understandable speech over uninterpreted tongues.
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Why is prophecy greater than speaking in tongues unless there is interpretation?
Prophecy is greater because it speaks forth the word of God with power in a language the congregation understands, so the church receives benefit. Speaking in tongues is greater only if someone interprets; without interpretation, the hearers receive nothing and cannot be taught by the message.
What does Paul mean by tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:5?
Paul means tongues as languages—plural languages. In 1 Corinthians 14:5 he wishes they all could speak with tongues, explaining this as the ability to speak dialects in Macedonia, languages in North Africa, and Latin in Rome. The singular unknown tongue edifies only oneself, while prophecy edifies the congregation.
More Questions
Why is prophecy greater than speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:5?
The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks with languages, unless the tongues-speaker can interpret so that the church may receive edification.